Friday, May 04, 2007

Holland Public Schools Needs New Leadership

On Tuesday, the Holland community has a significant opportunity and responsibility to ensure that Holland Public Schools regains its reputation of excellence within our community.

We certainly have the exceptional teachers, programs, parents and community support to do that, but a lack of leadership has kept us from fully realizing that potential.

What better way to make sure we do what is right for the students than by electing leaders who recognize and want to utilize those strengths? Recent decisions by the school board have undermined the unity necessary for Holland Public Schools to overcome the challenge and demonstrate the excellence that has never stopped being a daily focus for teachers and students.

Al Friend and Mary Yedinak have the experience and ability to bring new ideas to the school board. Their experience in the classroom as well as Friend's as a parent and administrator gives them the insight necessary to navigate the tough decisions ahead. They will help create a common vision and long-range planning process that includes all members of the school community and will help us to move forward together.

It's time to make sure that Holland Public Schools builds on our many student successes instead of diverting attention from what matters by magnifying unnecessary conflicts. It's time for a change. It's time to allow new voices and new ideas to impact the direction of our schools. It's time to roll up our sleeves and face the problems together. It's time to vote for Al Friend and Mary Yedinak.

Lisa Hofman